Devon Energy Earns $499 Million on Increased Third-Quarter Oil and Gas Production and Lower Costs
OKLAHOMA CITY, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE: DVN) today reported net earnings of $499 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, or $1.13 per common share ($1.12 per diluted common share). For the quarter ended September 30, 2008, Devon reported net earnings of $2.6 billion, or $5.93 per common share ($5.88 per diluted common share).


Production of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids increased six percent to 61.9 million oil-equivalent barrels (Boe) in the third quarter of 2009. Costs in nearly every expense category were lower in the third quarter of 2009 compared with the same period in the previous year. Strong production growth and lower overall costs were more than offset by significantly lower product prices.


For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, Devon reported a net loss of $3.1 billion, or $7.09 per common share ($7.09 per diluted common share). A $4.2 billion non-cash, after-tax reduction in the carrying value of oil and gas properties in the first quarter of 2009 drove the year-to-date loss. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the company reported net earnings of $4.7 billion, or $10.50 per common share ($10.40 per diluted common share).


"Year to date, Devon increased oil and gas production eight percent compared with 2008," commented President John Richels. "The performance of the company's oil and gas properties has continued to exceed our expectations throughout 2009."


Minimal Impact from Items Not Estimated by Analysts


Devon's third-quarter 2009 financial results were increased slightly by the net effects of items securities analysts typically exclude from their published estimates. Excluding the adjusting items, Devon earned $491 million or $1.10 per diluted common share in the third quarter of 2009. The adjusting items are discussed in more detail later in this news release.


Companywide Production Increased


Combined oil, gas and natural gas liquids production averaged 673 thousand Boe per day in the third quarter of 2009. This is the highest third-quarter production in Devon's history and a six percent increase compared with the third quarter of 2008.


Each of Devon's operating segments contributed to the production growth. Growth in oil and natural gas liquids production in the United States was greater than the decline in natural gas volumes. The continuing ramp up of volumes at the Jackfish oil sands project led Canadian oil production growth. Canadian natural gas production also increased, principally due to lower government royalties. Canadian royalties are calculated on a sliding scale. Therefore, at lower product prices, a producer's share of Canadian gas production increases.


Sequentially, average daily oil and gas production in the third quarter decreased six percent when compared with 719 thousand Boe per day produced in the second quarter of 2009. The decrease is attributable to voluntary reductions, planned maintenance downtime and natural declines.


Revenues from oil, gas and natural gas liquids sales decreased 54 percent to $1.7 billion in the third quarter of 2009 compared with the third quarter of 2008. Significantly lower product prices more than offset the growth in natural gas and liquids production.


Other income, net of expenses, increased 17 percent to $96 million in the third quarter of 2009. This amount includes an $84 million accrual reversal resulting from a favorable federal court ruling pertaining to royalties in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. For the third quarter of 2008, other income included $57 million of hurricane damage-related insurance recoveries.

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